Vertical structural interlocking panel system



O. S. SWIFT Nov. 24, 1936.

VERTICAL STRUCTURAL INTERLOCKING PANEL SYSTEM Filed July 8, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR O. S. SWIFT Nov. 24, 1936.

VERTICAL STRUCTURAL INTERLOCKING PANEL SYS TEM Filed July 8, 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES VERTICAL STRUCTURAL INTERLOCKING,

PANEL SYSTEM Otto Sawin Swift, Long Beach, Calif.

Application July 8, 1935, Serial No. 30,297

10 Claims.

My invention of a vertical structural interlocking panel system is an interlocking method for use in wall building construction, comprising (a) sheet metal panels and (b) vertical structural interlocking members or units. The wall panels or sections are of uniform size to permit interchange of panels, said panels or sections containing doors, Windows, blank wall panels and/or other wall elements. The panel or section is capable of housing wiring, heating and water pipes or ducts. The vertical structural interlocking members or units constituting upright framework elements of building construction, are the interlocking means for connecting or joining the panels or sections. My vertical structural interlocking panel system is for use in connection with metal, metal alloys and/or metallic compositions in which the vertical structural interlocking members or units constitute the supporting framework of said. building or structure, the vertical structural interlocking members or units acting as, or becoming, columns, studs or pilasters, capable of supporting all superimposed loads as commonly practiced in building construction, wherein said columns, studs or pilasters are sufficiently strong to support the weight of superimposed floors, roofs and walls in addition to the so-called live load.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved wall section composed of a panel and a 30 pair of vertical structural interlocking members or units in which there are none of the usual joints or cracks exposed between sections or units and the finished effect of the exterior is that of a continuous structure of panels and 35 ornamental pilasters therebetween, having no noticeable joints or cracks and having or requiring no strips, cleats or moldings to cover said joints or connections.

It is among the objects of this invention toprovide a construction which is simple and convenient for manufacture, strong and durable, consisting of few parts and pleasing in appearance, especially by the avoidance of noticeable joints or cracks evident in conventional panel abutment, and as stated before, to avoid the use of a strip, cleat or molding usually employed to conceal the joint or connection between the abutting panels or sections.

. These several objects, together with others which will become apparent as the description progresses, are accomplished by the unique construction, combination and arrangement of few and simple elements hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, constituting an important component of this disclosure, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view, from the front or outside of a blank wall panel, with an upper portion broken away to show the L-strips and the longitudinal lateral flanges of the panel.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View, from the front or outside of a vertical structural interlocking unit comprising the main structural element, but with an upper portion broken away to show the relation of the two members when united.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an exterior and an interior vertical structural interlocking member with plates.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an exterior and an interior vertical structural interlocking member united, forming a vertical structural unit with plates.

, Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of a panel with the horizontal flange line of Fig. 1 omitted.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Figs. 1 and 2 of a panel and a vertical structural interlocking unit placed in abutting contact and united together, thereby forming a panel section.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section, with plates omitted, of a vertical structural interlocking unit showing a reinforcing element placed in the passage of the unit .to strengthen the unit in vertical compression.

Fig. 8 .is a horizontal section, with plates omitted, of a vertical structural interlocking unit showing a reinforcing element. Fig. 9 is a perspective view from the rear or inside of a blank wall panel, interlocked and united with a vertical structural unit, but with an upper section broken away to show clearly a panel section assembly, with insulation, interior finish and cross bracing omitted.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view from the exterior or front of a vertical structural unit with lower plates to unite with the foundation wall, sill or slab.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view from the exterior or front of a corner assembly showing blank wall panel sections in combination with a corner unit. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section of a modified type of corner construction in disassembledcondition, Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the corner construction assembled.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section view from above of the corner construction used in connection with the panel sections shown in Fig. 11 illustrating the disassembled parts in position.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section iew from above, with plates omitted, of various load hearing and ornamental vertical structural interlocking units similar to the one hereinafter described.

These units serve the same functions in connection with my invention, the only difference being the projections or ornamentation in the web partition of said units. These units, as well as combinations of these units, and others, are adaptable to my invention of a vertical structural interlocking panel system.

Referring to the drawings, the exterior vertical structural interlocking member I constituting one-half of the vertical structural interlocking unit (said unit described later in this specification) is formed preferably as shown in Fig. 2, and composed of five angles as shown at 2 for the purpose of strengthening and stiffening said member in vertical compression or stress, and further to be ornamental as an exposed exterior pilaster. Said member has outwardly disposed marginal lateral flanges 3 and an outwardly disposed angle or projection 4 in the web face of the vertical structural interlocking member. The stiffening or reinforcing angle or projection 4 is formed in the web partition of said member in such manner as to be ornamental on the exterior surface of said web and for the purpose of adding bearing strength to said member. The outwardly disposed marginal lateral flanges 3 of the vertical structural interlocking member are adapted to interfit or interlock in a channel or groove 5 provided in the abutting interlocking panel. The space across the edge of the outwardly disposed lateral flanges 6 is approximately the same width as the spaced relation of adjacent channel or groove walls 5 in the panel. Said vertical structural interlocking member is also provided with a plate I at the lower end or base of said member to provide a means of uniting the member to the foundation wall, sill or slab of the building or structure. Said member is also provided with a plate 8 at the upper end to provide a means of uniting said vertical structural interlocking member to the beam, joist or truss of said building or structure.

The interior vertical structural member is formed preferably as shown in Fig. 9 and composed of five angles as shown by 2 of Fig. 9 for the purpose of strengthening and stiffening said member in vertical compression or stress as previously described.

A vertical structural interlocking unit is composed of an exterior vertical structural interlocking member ID and an interior vertical structural member ll, described in the preceding paragraphs. The exterior and interior vertical structural interlocking members are placed in abutting web contact. so that said pair of vertical structural members have outwardly and inwardly disposed flanges 3 and are preferably joined together thereto at abutting web contact I2 by welding, brazing, soldering, or other methods in common practice by the trade. The two members have substantially uniform web surface contact l2, whereby to form a substantially H-beam stud with a vertical passage [3 in the web partition of said unit. Said unit or H-beam stud is capable of supporting all superimposed loads as commonly practiced in building construction, in addition to subserving its exterior ornamental function as illustrated in Fig. 12. The angles or projections 4 in the webs of the vertical structural members are for the purpose of increasing the bearing strength and to provide an increased stiffening effect in said unit or l -l-stud and to serve other purposes as required, namely expansicn and contraction, means of reinforcing, if required, by placing additional structural members or elements in said passage as shown at 30 in Figs. 7 and 8. Said passage I3 may also be used as a conduit or drainage duct.

The web partition or the projection in the web partition of the vertical structural interlocking unit permits considerable variation in a minor discrepancy due to ornamental variation and yet affords the desired structural strength in vertical compression. It is thought that such variation in the web partitions of the vertical structural units enters into the general scope of my invention and need not be described in detail. Fig. 15 illustrates a few of the possible variations in the web partitions of such vertical structural units.

The method of constructing panel units includes the bending or die stamping a rectangular blank of sheet metal to form continuous lateral flanges l4, l5 and 16 substantially at right angles to the face of said panel. The longitudinal marginal lateral flanges I4 are bent substantially to corresponding or equal width best illustrated by Fig. 5, while the horizontal lateral flanges are bent to unequal width. The longitudinal lateral flanges of the panel l4 or of such depth or width as required to overlap and conceal the outwardly disposed flanges 3 of the exterior vertical structural interlocking member. The horizontal lateral flange H3 at the base of the panel is of such depth or width as required to provide a suitable base connection to foundation wall, sill or slab of said structure. The horizontal lateral flange H5 at the upper end or top of the panel is of such depth or width as required to form a suitable cap or coping for said panel. By welding an L-strip 9 to the interior face or plane of the panel in opposed spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flange l4 of said panel, a longitudinal channel or groove 5 is thereby formed. The L-strip 9 extends on both longitudinal sides from the base of the panel to the top of the panel best shown by Fig. 9. Said L-strips 9 serve to stiffen the face or plane of the panel and become a part of the framework of the panel. The channels or grooves 5 are for the purpose of receiving and concealing in a snug fit the outwardly disposed flanges 3 of the vertical structural interlocking member or unit, positively interlocking the panel and the aforementioned structural member or unit together against lateral displacement. These interlocking joints or connections also afford a reasonable amount of flexibility against expansion or contraction of the panels so as to maintain proper waterproof characteristics under the usual variations in weather. The L-strip 9 extends inwardly at substantially right angles to the interior face or plane of said panel to approximately an equal distance as the edge of the inwardly disposed flange 3 of the vertical structural member or unit I8. In other words, the inwardly extending edge of the L-strip 9 should be approximately flush with the edge of the inwardly disposed flange 3 of the vertical structural member or unit best shown by l8 of Fig. 6. The abutting joints between the L-strip 9 in the panel and the inwardly disposed flange 3 of the vertical structural member or unit are then united theretogether by welding, riveting, nuts and bolts, sheet metal screws or nails, or otherwise suitably connected in the approved present day practice. A strong construction is thereby provided, easy to assemble, and using a minimum of metal.

of the hollow metal post in both the abutting and The'panel construction and elements are substantially the same on both longitudinal sides or edges of said panel, each interior side or edge of the panel is provided with the heretofore described L-strip 9, and in combination with the longitudinal lateral flanges I4 of the panel the channels or grooves 5 are thereby formed in which to receive in a snug flt and conceal the outwardly disposed flanges 3 of the adjoining vertical structural interlocking member or unit, said L-strip abutting and uniting with the iniwardly disposed flange of the vertical structural member or unit as shown in Fig. 6 thereby producing tight joints between the L-s'trip 9 and the inwardly disposed flange 3, it being noted that in this construction a perfect joint is obtained in a strong, durable and inexpensive manner. The welding, riveting, nuts and bolts, or other means of connection are entirely concealed, while the exterior interlocking joint or connection is such that no cracks or joints are evident except by very careful examination. The assembly or erection of panel sections may be made on the job by comparatively unskilled labor and at low cost.

In connection with the panel, as already described, I provide certain auxiliary structural elements as required. My vertical structural interlocking panel system is especially adapted to the use of the so called pre-fabricated interior wall panel materials. It may however be used in connection with plastic wall materials of the plaster type. A channel iron of suitable size [9 is used in connection with fastening elements to clamp or draw the base of said panel in close and rigid contact to the foundation wall, sill or slab of said building or structure. Suitable insulation (not shown) may be applied to the under surface or interior of said panel. Panels or panel sections may be of the blank wall type, as hereinbcfore described, or said panels or panel sections may contain window, door and/or other wall elements. As stated heretofore, a panel wall section or unit is capable of housing wiring, heating and water pipes or ducts.

The corner post construction, Fig. 14, used in connection with my vertical structural interlocking panel system is composed of a hollow metal post 20 completely enclosed on two adjoining sides by a sheet metal cap 2|. The hollow metal post and the sheet metal cap 2| are welded theretogether at abutting web contact. The metal cap 2! extends or follows the contour of the post 20 on the two remaining sides in such manner as to form and become flanges 22 at its respective lateral edges, said flanges 22 spaced an approximately equal distance from the wall of said metal post 20 as the space across the edge of the flange 6 of the exterior'vertical structural interlocking member or unit, thereby forming a channel or groove 5 on both adjoining sides of the metal post 20 in which to receive and concoal in a snug fit the outwardly disposed flange 3 of the abutting vertical structural interlocking members or units. The inwardly disposed flanges 3 of the abutting vertical structural interlocking members or unit abut the hollow metal post 28 and means unite the hollow metal post 20 to said flanges 3, thereby forming an interlocking weather-tight joint of strong construction. This assembly is best shown in Fig. 11. It will be noted that the corner post construction as described above, being an addition to the wall panel sections, will increase the horizontal wall area by approximately onehalf the width interlocking directions, and in some instances thereby causesthe building to be out of alignment with respect to truss, joist or beam supports, said supports being the heretofore described verticalstructural interlocking unit Fig. 2. In some instances this type of corner post may be desirable but where it is found impracticable I have an alternate (corner post construction in which there is substantially no gain in the horizontal wall area, Fig. 13, and which does not cause the building to be out of alignment in truss, joist or beam support. In this modified corner construction shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the sides of the corner post 20 are equal in width to flanges 3 on the exterior structural members and abut suchv flanges, or in other words, the hollow metal post 20 is approximately the same width on each abutting side as the abutting surface of the flanges 3 of the exterior vertical structural interlocking members. The inwardly disposed flange 3 and a portion of the web 4 of Fig. 13 of the interior vertical structural member is cut off or removed in order to allow the inwardly disposed flange 3a of the adjoining corner vertical structural interlocking member or unit to abut the back of the exterior vertical member 31). An L-strip 4a is then united to the interior corner thus formed by abutment of the vertical structural members Fig. 13, reinforces the corner construction and also overlaps and reinforces the joint caused by the removal of the flange 3 and a part of the web of the interior vertical structural member 4.

Among the principal advantages of the building system, as above described, is the simplicity and ease of erecting building walls in a wide variety of architectural designs. After thefoundation is prepared the panel sections Fig. 9 may be readily and quickly fitted together with a minimum of cost and labor. The vertical structural interlocking members or unit is intended for supporting heavy floor loads or the like in addition to subserving its ornamental function as an exposed pilaster or column.

While the preferred forms of my invention have been shown and described, it is not intended that the foregoing be interpreted as limitative as changes may be made without conflicting with the scope of the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. In panel construction of sheet metala nonload bearing unit capable of housing heating, wiring, water pipes and duct-s, a panel being formed by' bending inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at each of the horizontal ends of a rectangular blank of sheet metal and by bending inwardly disposed flanges of substantially equal width at each of the longitudinal sides of the sheet metal to substantially right angles, thereby forming a panel having substantially right angle flanges, the lower horizontal flange of said panel, in combination with a channel iron, providing the means whereby to clamp or bolt the panel in firm and rigid contact to the foundation wall of said structure, an L-strip being welded to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending from the base of the panel to the top of said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flanges'of said panel whereby to form a channel on each side of said panel, said channels being provided for the purpose of receiving and concealing in a snug flt the outwardly disposed flanges of an exterior vertical structural substantially H-beam stud, said L-strip extending inwardly at substantially right angles to the interior plane of said panel to approximately twicethe width of the longitudinal lateral flanges whereby to form a suitable abutment for the flange of the interior vertical structural substantially H-beam stud, said L-strip becoming a part of the vertical frame of said panel.

2. A building wall section of the class described comprising a load bearing metal vertical structural unit having outwardly disposed and inwardly disposed marginal lateral flanges and an outwardly disposed and an inwardly disposed reinforcing projection in the web partitions whereby to form substantially an H-beam stud with a vertical passage in the web partition of said H- beam stud, a panel being formed by bending inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at each of the horizontal ends of a rectangular blank of sheet metal and by bending inwardly disposed flanges of substantially equal width at each of the longitudinal sides of the sheet metal, thereby forming a panel having substantially right angle flanges, an L-strip being welded to the interior piane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending from the base to the top of said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flanges of said panel whereby to form a channel on each side of said panel in which to receive in a snug flt and to conceal the outwardly disposed flange of the substantially H-beam stud, said L-strips extending inwardly at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel to abut and unite the inwardly disposed flange of the substantially H- beam stud thereby forming a panel section with a load bearing substantially H-beam stud attached to one side of said panel.

3. In a building system of the class described, a plurality of building wall panel sections of uniform height and width adapted to extend a full story height, a panel section comprising a load bearing metal vertical structural unit having outwardly disposed and inwardly disposed marginal lateral flanges and an outwardly disposed and an inwardly disposed projection in the web partitions whereby to form substantially an H-beam stud, a panel being formed by bending inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at each of the horizontal ends of a rectangular blank of sheet metal and by bending inwardly disposed flanges of substantially equal width at each of the longitudinal sides of the sheet metal, thereby forming a panel having substantially right angle flange an L-strip welded to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending from the base to the top of said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flanges of said panel whereby to form a channel on each side of said panel in which to receive in a snug fit and conceal the outwardly disposed flange of the substantially H- beam stud, said L-strips extending inwardly at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel to abut and unite the inwardly disposed flange of the substantially H-bearn stud, forming a panel section with a load bearing substantially H-beam stud on one side of said panel section, some of said panel sections being provided with blank wall surfaces, others being provided with doors or Windows and/or other wall elements, but all of said panel sections being mutually interchangeable and connectible to the abutting vertical structural interlocking substantially H-beam studs.

:4. In wall building construction, the combination of a load bearing metallic substantially H- beam stud with outwardly disposed and inwardly disposed flanges and having a passage formed lengthwise in its web partition, a plurality of building wall elements enclosed in a nonload bearing sheet metal panel surrounded by flanges, said sheet metal panel having an angle strip spaced in opposed relation to the longitudinal flanges of the panel and welded to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel and extending from the base to the top of said panel whereby to form a channel adapted for engaging and concealing the outwardly disposed flanges of the substantially H-beam stud, said angle strip extending inwardly substantially at right angles from the plane surface of the panel to abut and unite the inwardly disposed flange of the substantially H- beam stud.

5. In building construction, the combination of a load bearing metallic H-beam stud and a sheet metal panel having inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at the horizontal ends of said panel and inwardly disposed flanges of substantially equal width on the longitudinal sides of said panel, an angle strip united to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending lengthwise of said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flanges, thereby forming a channel on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel in which to receive the abutting interlocking outwardly disposed flange of the H-beam stud, the angle strip on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel extending substantially at right angles to the interior plane of the panel in such manner as to abut in close contact the inwardly disposed flange of the adjoining H- beam stud, and means for uniting the panel and the substantially H-beam stud.

6. In building construction, the combination of a pair of load bearing channel irons placed with-their webs in abutting contact having inwardly disposed and outwardly disposed marginal lateral flanges, thereby forming substantially an H-beam stud; a sheet metal panel having inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at the horizontal ends and inwardly disposed flanges of substantial equal width on the longitudinal sides of said panel, an angle strip united to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending lengthwise of. said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal lateral flanges of the panel, thereby forming a channel on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel in which to receive and conceal the abutting edge of the outwardly disposed flange of the substantially H-beam stud, the angle strip on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel extending substantially at right angles to the interior plane of the panel so as to abut in close contact the inwardly disposed flange of the adjoining substantially H-beam stud, and means of uniting the angle strip and the abutting inwardly disposed flange of the substantially H-beam stud.

'7. In panel construction of sheet metal, a unit of uniform size to permit interchange of parts, capable of housing heating, wiring, water pipe and ducts, said panel being formed by bending inwardly disposed flanges of unequal width at each of the horizontal ends of a rectangular blank of sheet metal and inwardly disposed flanges of substantially equal width at each of the longitudinal sides of the sheet metal, thereby forming a panel having substantially right angle flanges, a strip being secured to the interior plane surface of the panel on each of the longitudinal sides of the panel and extending lengthwise from the base to the top of said panel in opposed and spaced relation to the longitudinal flanges of the panel, whereby to form a channel on each of the longitudinal sides of said panel in which to receive in a snug fit and conceal the outwardly disposed flange of a load bearing stud, said strips extending substantially at right angles to the interior plane surface of the panel to abut in close contact the inwardly disposed flange of the adjoining stud, said strip reinforcing the plane surface of the panel and becoming a part of the vertical frame of said panel.

8. In corner post construction the combination of a hollow metal post enclosed'on two adjoining sides by a sheet metal cap, means for securing the sheet metal cap to the hollow metal post, said metal cap extending with the contour of the hollow metal post to partly enclose the two remaining sides of said post, the inner edges of the side flanges of the sheet metal cap spaced an approximately equal distance from the respective sides of the hollow metal post as the space across the edge of the abutting flange of a substantially H-beam stud, whereby to form a channel'between the hollow metal post and the edge or flange of the sheet metal cap on each of the adjoining sides of said post in which to receive and conceal in a snug fit the flange of said stud.

9. In a panel construction, of sheet metal, a non-load bearing unit comprising a panel, vertical flanges-on the panel, a horizontal flange at the bottom of the panel, said horizontal flange providing means whereby the panel may be secured to a foundation, an L strip attached to the inner plane surface of the panel adjacent each of the longitudinal sides of the panel, said L strips being spaced from the flanges whereby a channel is formed on each side of the panel, an H-beam stud, said stud including outwardly extending vertical flanges, said last named flanges being adapted to fit in said channels.

10. In a panel construction of sheet metal, a non-load bearing unit comprising a panel, vertical flanges on the panel, a horizontal flange at the bottom of the panel, said horizontal flange providing means whereby the panel may be secured to a foundation, an L strip attached to the inner plane surface of the panel adjacent each of the longitudinal sides of the panel, said L strips being spaced from the flanges whereby a channel is formed on each side of the panel, an H-beam stud, said stud including outwardly extending vertical flanges, said last named flanges being adapted tofit in said channels, and said L strip extending inwardly from the panel approximately twice the width of the longitudinal lateral flanges whereby an abutment is formed for the flange of the H-beam stud.

OTTO SAWIN SWIFT. 

